Chessy
Van't Kruijs Opening: e5 – A Flexible Surprise for White
The Van't Kruijs Opening begins with the modest 1.e3, and after 1...e5 you immediately challenge Black's centre with 2.d4. You are playing White, and the engine gives +0.28 — a small edge in your favour. That means you are slightly better in a position that most opponents have rarely studied. With over six million games in the database, the statistics back this up: White wins 48.0%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 47.9%. The drill below will test you against the best reply, so you learn exactly how to keep your edge.
Play the Van't Kruijs Opening: e5 against the engine
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Try the interactive drill below — play the Van't Kruijs Opening against the engine and see how you handle Black's best reply. Create a free account to track how
Create a free account →The Central Idea Behind 2.d4
After 1.e3 e5, your second move 2.d4 stakes a claim in the centre. You are asking Black a direct question: what do they want to do about this pawn? The most principled answer is to capture with exd4 — and that is exactly what the engine recommends. If Black exchanges, you recapture with the e3-pawn, leaving you with a solid pawn on d4 and both bishops free to develop. The resulting structure is simple, flexible, and hard to punish. Your edge is small but real, and it comes from having a clear central presence while Black must decide how to respond.
The Best Move and the Engine's Plan
Stockfish says the strongest move here is exd4, continuing with exd4 exd4 Nf6 Nf3. After you recapture on d4, you will bring your knight to f3, developing naturally with pressure on the centre. Notice that your pawns stay symmetrical for now, but you are the one who has forced the trade — Black's knight to f6 is a standard developing move, and your reply Nf3 is just as natural. There are no tricks or traps to memorise; just play solid chess and trust that your slight structural advantage will carry you into a comfortable middlegame.
What the Statistics Tell Us About Black's Replies
From the position after 1.e3 e5 2.d4, Black has several options. The most popular is exd4 (3,443,482 games), where White scores 46.9% — slightly below the overall average, which suggests many White players don't handle the recapture perfectly. The second-most common response, e4 (1,239,083 games), gives White a 47.6% score. Interestingly, Black's quieter moves score better for you: Nc6 (458,529 games) gives White 49.9%, d6 (320,748 games) gives 50.4%, and d5 (151,467 games) gives 50.2%. The highest White win rate comes against the unusual f6 (99,718 games), where White scores 54.8% — a clear signal that this move is a mistake.
Two Common Mistakes to Punish
The FACTS identify two Black moves as inaccuracies: d5 and f6. Playing d5 loses roughly 0.8 pawns compared to the correct exd4. If Black pushes the d-pawn instead of capturing yours, you can simply take the pawn on e5 or continue developing with a comfortable lead. The move f6 is even worse, losing about 0.9 pawns. Black weakens the kingside and the e5-square without gaining anything in return. When you see either of these moves, you know your opponent has gone wrong. Stay calm, keep developing, and the engine says you will have a clear advantage to convert.
Results across 6,005,764 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exd4 | 3,443,482 | 46.9% |
| e4 | 1,239,083 | 47.6% |
| Nc6 | 458,529 | 49.9% |
| d6 | 320,748 | 50.4% |
| d5 | 151,467 | 50.2% |
| f6 | 99,718 | 54.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Van't Kruijs Opening a good opening for beginners?
Yes, it is a perfectly reasonable choice. The ideas are simple — control the centre with 2.d4 and develop naturally — and you avoid lengthy, forcing lines. The engine gives +0.28, a small edge for White, so you are not gambling; you are playing a sound if unusual opening.
What is the best reply for Black after 1.e3 e5 2.d4?
The engine says **exd4** is best. Black captures your d-pawn, and after you recapture with exd4, the game continues with ...Nf6 and your knight to f3. It leads to a balanced but slightly favourable position for White.
Why is 2...f6 considered a mistake?
The move **f6** is an inaccuracy that loses about 0.9 pawns. It weakens the kingside and the e5-square without helping Black's development. In response, you can simply develop with tempo and enjoy a clear advantage.
How should I play after 2...exd4?
Recapture with **exd4**, then bring your knight to f3 after Black plays ...Nf6. Keep developing your bishops and castle quickly. You have a solid centre and no weaknesses, so trust your slight edge and play natural chess.